Political ads were among the topics of debate between the Second Congressional District candidates last week in Omaha.
The Omaha Press Club, Cox Media, and the League of Women Voters of Omaha, held the 2nd congressional district debate between incumbent Republican congressman Lee Terry and his challenger, Democrat State Senator Brad Ashford.
Both candidates were asked about specific attack ads they had mounted against one another.
In one ad, Terry asserted that though the police department expressed frustration that violent criminals were being released early, Ashford did nothing to help reform Nebraska’s Good Time law.
Terry said his ad was about leadership and making the community safe.
"And the city testified, Mayor Suttle testified, the police chief testified that criminals were being released early. But yet just a few months ago, Senator Ashford said no one has ever told him there was a problem occurring. Then in the summer, there was a streak of horrible violence. That should’ve told him there was a problem.”
Ashford said he’s worked continuously on prison reform since February of last year.
An Ashford ad attacks Terry for saying he would continue to take his pay during a government shutdown, and questions the 16 years Terry has served in Congress.
Ashford said Congress is broken.
"It seems to me when we pass a budget without a laser like approach that’s necessary to go line by line to determine what priorities we should have, that creates uncertainty in the country and that needs to change. After 16 years, I think we do need a change. We need a new congress and need to move forward collaboratively. Positions are not solutions.”
The Omaha Press Club will air in its entirety next Monday, October 27th at Noon. The General Electiontakes place Tuesday, November 4th.